American defense firm Anduril has been selected as the winner of a competition to develop a fire-control system for countering unmanned aerial systems, organized jointly by the Army's Missile and Munitions Cross-Functional Team and the Defense Innovation Unit.
The Army's press release stresses that this outcome is an important step in identifying and integrating the most effective fire-control solutions to counter the rapidly evolving UAS threat. The release adds that the Army will continue to work closely with Anduril to refine the integration of the technology into its counter-drone architecture.
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According to Breaking Defense, while Anduril's new fire-control system will focus primarily on counter-UAS capabilities, it is expected ultimately to unify a broad set of short-range air-defense systems. Colonel Guy Yelverton, head of the Army's counter-UAS office, said these competitions will be held at least every two years to stay ahead of emerging threats and to keep a fresh view of available capabilities so the military can select the best solutions.
Andurils development will replace the existing FAAD C2 (Forward Area Air Defense Command and Control) fire-control system from defense giant Northrop Grumman.
Anduril is already a supplier to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, notably providing Altius-600 reconnaissance UAVs, and has recently showcased a series of advanced developments.
For example, Defense Express recently reported that Anduril adapted the low-cost Barracuda-500 cruise missile for ground launch.
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